Introduction to Craftable Weapons in Genshin Impact 2025
What Makes Craftable Weapons Essential for F2P
Here’s the thing about craftable weapons in Genshin - they’re not just consolation prizes. They’re the backbone of every smart F2P account, and honestly? Some of them are downright broken in the right hands.
Unlike those shiny gacha weapons that drain your Primogems faster than you can say pity, craftable weapons need weapon diagrams, Northlander Billets, and regional ores. No RNG nightmares, no wallet-emptying sessions at 3 AM. Just good old-fashioned farming and patience.
But here’s where it gets interesting - and this is something I’ve seen countless players overlook. Specialized craftable weapons don’t just compete with 5-star options; they sometimes completely demolish them. Take Whiteblind on Itto or Noelle. I’ve run the numbers, and this thing consistently outperforms premium weapons because of perfect stat alignment. It’s not even close.
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2025 Meta Updates and New Additions
The 2025 meta shift has been wild to watch unfold. Natlan dropped some absolute game-changers with their craftable lineup, and the leaked Nod-Krai weapons for Version 6.0? Let’s just say I’m already planning my billet allocation.
Natlan weapons brought Pyro reaction synergy to the table - Earth Shaker’s universal Elemental Skill damage bonuses when Pyro reactions occur is genuinely innovative. These cost 10 Condessence Crystals and 10 local materials from the Alom blacksmith, which is actually pretty reasonable considering their power level.
Now, about those Nod-Krai leaks (and yes, I know leaks can change, but these look solid): Serenity’s Call offers 61.3% Energy Recharge with HP scaling that’s practically tailor-made for Furina and Nilou. Blackmarrow Lantern? 221 Elemental Mastery with direct Bloom damage buffs. That’s not just good - that’s redefining Dendro reaction teams good.
The real winner here has been the meta’s shift toward reaction-based gameplay. Suddenly, craftable weapons with Elemental Mastery substats aren’t just viable - they’re essential. Iron Sting, Kitain Cross Spear, Mappa Mare… these used to be niche picks. Now they’re carrying entire team compositions.
How to Obtain and Craft Weapons: Complete Guide
Northlander Billet Farming Strategies
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room - Northlander Billets are rarer than a Qiqi constellation that you actually want. With roughly 12% drop rates per Weekly Boss, you’re looking at statistical disappointment more often than not.
But here’s the math that actually matters: eleven weekly bosses means you should expect roughly one billet per week if you’re consistent. That’s not terrible, especially when you factor in alternative sources. Adventure Rank rewards, Souvenir Shop purchases (225 Anemo/Geo Sigils each - expensive but guaranteed), Sacred Sakura Tree levels, and event rewards all add up.
My advice? Treat billets like the precious resource they are. Don’t craft weapons for characters sitting at level 20 just in case. I’ve seen too many players burn through their entire billet stash only to pull the perfect character for a weapon they can’t make.
Strategic priority is everything here. Universal weapons like Prototype Archaic and Whiteblind should come first. Niche options can wait until you have a specific plan and the characters to execute it.
Crafting Materials and Costs
Beyond billets, you’ll need 50 White Iron Chunks and 50 region-specific ores. White Iron respawns every 48 hours, which sounds manageable until you realize how much mining you’ll actually be doing. (Pro tip: Zhongli’s mining passive is a game-changer if you have him.)
Region-specific requirements break down like this:
Inazuma weapons: 50 Amethyst Lumps
Sumeru weapons: 50 Nagadus Emerald Chunks
Fontaine weapons: 50 Condessence Crystals
Natlan weapons: 50 Condessence Crystals plus local specialties
Efficient farming routes can yield 165+ Crystal Chunks per 72-hour cycle. The Mondstadt Stormbearer Mountains and Liyue mining sites are your best friends here. Yes, it’s tedious. Yes, it’s worth it.
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Best Craftable Swords by Element
Prototype Rancour (Physical DPS)
Prototype Rancour is the reliable workhorse that never lets you down. 565 base ATK and 34.5% Physical DMG Bonus at level 90, with a passive that stacks ATK and DEF increases through Normal/Charged Attacks. Four stacks, 6-second duration, and it just works.
Physical Keqing, Kaeya, Jean - they all love this thing. But here’s the kicker: it’s also Bennett’s best F2P option purely because of that massive base ATK. The Physical DMG bonus is wasted on him, sure, but his ATK buff scales off base ATK alone.
You get one free at Adventure Rank 10. Refinement isn’t urgent - the jump from 4% to 8% per stack is nice but not game-changing.
Amenoma Kageuchi (Energy Recharge)
This weapon changed everything for energy management. 454 base ATK, 55.1% ATK substat, and a passive that generates Succession Seeds from Elemental Skills. Those seeds turn into 6 Energy each during your Burst (12 at R5), making 80-cost Bursts actually manageable.
Ayaka with this weapon? Chef’s kiss. The energy restoration lets you run less Energy Recharge on artifacts and more Crit stats. Jean benefits massively too, especially in teams where her Burst uptime matters for healing or VV shred.
The blueprint comes from The Farmer’s Treasure world quest in Inazuma - don’t skip this one.
Iron Sting (Elemental Mastery)
510 base ATK and 165 Elemental Mastery make this the go-to for reaction-focused builds. The passive adds 6% damage after dealing Elemental damage, stacking twice for 12% total. Simple, effective, powerful.
Kazuha absolutely demolishes content with this weapon in Swirl teams. The Elemental Mastery scales both his personal damage and his team buffs - it’s a win-win situation. Dendro Traveler also performs surprisingly well in reaction-heavy compositions.
Refinement doubles the damage bonus to 12%/24%, which is actually substantial for reaction-based characters.
Sapwood Blade (Dendro Synergy)
565 base ATK with 30.6% Energy Recharge, plus a passive that creates Leaves of Consciousness from Dendro reactions. Collect them for 60 Elemental Mastery for 12 seconds. It’s like the weapon was designed specifically for the Dendro meta.
Bennett achieves his best F2P performance with this in Dendro teams. High base ATK for his buff, Energy Recharge for Burst uptime, and the Elemental Mastery buff doesn’t interfere with his ATK scaling. Perfect synergy.
Get the blueprint by exchanging Stories of You and the Aranara with Aravinay near the Tree of Dreams in Sumeru.
Top Craftable Claymores for F2P Players
Prototype Archaic (ATK% DPS)
The old reliable. 565 base ATK, 27.6% ATK bonus, and a 50% chance to deal 240% ATK damage in a small AoE every 15 seconds. It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done on virtually every claymore DPS in the game.
Diluc, Razor, Eula - they all perform admirably with Archaic. The AoE proc helps with crowd control while adding meaningful damage. Since you can get the blueprint from day one, it’s often the first weapon new players craft.
Refinement scales the proc damage from 240% to 480%, which is actually pretty significant over long fights.
Whiteblind (DEF% Scaling)
Here’s where things get spicy. 510 base ATK and 51.7% DEF, with a passive that grants 6% ATK and DEF per hit from Normal/Charged Attacks. Four stacks, perfect synergy with DEF-scaling characters.
On Itto and Noelle, this weapon is absolutely broken. I’m not exaggerating - it regularly outperforms 5-star weapons because the stat alignment is perfect. Itto’s Burst converts DEF to ATK, making both the substat and passive incredibly valuable.
This is your highest refinement priority if you use DEF-scaling characters. R5 provides 12% ATK and DEF per stack, which is just ridiculous for damage and survivability.
Essential Craftable Polearms and Builds
Prototype Starglitter (Energy Recharge)
510 base ATK and 45.9% Energy Recharge with a passive that increases Normal and Charged Attack damage by 8% after using Elemental Skill. Stacks twice for 16% total, lasts 12 seconds.
Xiao can actually make good use of this - the Energy Recharge helps with Burst uptime, and the damage bonus applies to plunging attacks since they count as Charged Attacks. Support characters like Yun Jin benefit from the energy management for consistent Burst buffs.
It’s not the most exciting weapon, but it’s solid and versatile.
Kitain Cross Spear (Elemental Skill Focus)
565 base ATK and 110 Elemental Mastery with one of the more interesting passives in the game. Increases Elemental Skill damage by 6%, but here’s the twist - after your Skill hits, you lose 3 Energy but then regenerate 3 Energy every 2 seconds for 6 seconds. Net gain of 6 Energy per activation.
Thoma absolutely loves this in Burgeon teams. The Elemental Mastery scales reaction damage, and the energy management keeps his Burst up consistently. Even Raiden can use this in reaction-focused builds where you want some Elemental Mastery for Electro-Charged or Overloaded.
Blueprint comes from Orobashi’s Legacy: Part V quest in Inazuma.
Optimal Craftable Bows by Playstyle
Prototype Crescent (Charged Shot DPS)
This weapon rewards skill with massive damage increases. 510 base ATK and 41.3% ATK, with a passive that provides 36% ATK and 10% Movement Speed for 10 seconds when Charged Attacks hit weak points.
Ganyu’s best F2P option, hands down. The charged shot playstyle naturally targets weak points, and the ATK buff applies to both the initial shot and bloom damage. The Movement Speed bonus helps with positioning and kiting - essential for charged shot gameplay.
The catch? You need to actually hit those weak points consistently. Miss them, and you’re stuck with a mediocre stat stick.
Hamayumi (Burst-less Builds)
454 base ATK and 55.1% ATK with a passive that increases Normal Attack damage by 16% and Charged Attack damage by 12%. Both effects double when your Energy is at 100%, encouraging burst-less playstyles.
Yoimiya is the poster child for this weapon. Her Normal Attack-focused kit and low Burst priority make the doubled effect (32% Normal Attack damage, 24% Charged Attack damage) incredibly valuable. It rivals 5-star weapons when played correctly.
Blueprint comes from Takashi’s Mysterious Conch chests in Inazuma - you need to open them for 7 consecutive days.
Best Craftable Catalysts for Each Element
Mappa Mare (Elemental Reaction DPS)
565 base ATK and 110 Elemental Mastery with a passive that grants 8% Elemental DMG Bonus for 10 seconds after triggering reactions. Stacks twice for 16% total.
Sucrose in Swirl teams, Klee in Vaporize compositions, Yanfei in reaction builds - they all benefit from the Elemental Mastery and damage bonus combination. The weapon scales both transformative reactions and direct elemental damage.
Refinement doubles the damage bonus to 16%/32%, which is actually substantial for reaction-focused characters.
Prototype Amber (Healer Support)
This weapon is pure utility. 510 base ATK and 41.3% HP with a passive that provides dual benefits: 4 Energy every 2 seconds for 6 seconds after using Elemental Burst, plus healing all party members for 4% HP every 2 seconds during the same duration.
It transforms any catalyst user into a team healer. Kokomi and Barbara obviously benefit from the HP scaling, but even non-healer catalyst users can provide valuable team support. The energy regeneration is just icing on the cake.
Hakushin Ring (Electro Teams)
565 base ATK and 30.6% Energy Recharge with a team-focused passive. Provides 10% Elemental DMG Bonus to nearby party members involved in Electro reactions for their respective elements for 6 seconds.
Taser teams love this weapon. Sucrose with Hakushin Ring in an Electro-Charged team can buff multiple party members simultaneously. The Energy Recharge ensures Burst uptime while the team buff provides substantial DPS increases.
Blueprint comes from the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual quest line using the Mask of Memories item.
Character-Weapon Synergy and Optimal Pairings
DPS Character Recommendations
The key to maximizing craftable weapons is understanding stat synergy. Itto and Noelle with Whiteblind isn’t just good - it’s often better than 5-star alternatives because the DEF scaling is perfect. This is their definitive best-in-slot F2P choice.
Ayaka and other energy-hungry Burst DPS characters achieve incredible performance with Amenoma Kageuchi. The weapon effectively reduces Energy Recharge requirements by 18-36 Energy per rotation, allowing more offensive artifact substats while maintaining consistent Burst uptime.
Physical DPS builds have clear winners: Prototype Rancour for swords and Snow-Tombed Starsilver for claymores. The Physical DMG bonuses are substantial and directly scale their primary damage source.
Support Character Options
Support characters prioritize utility over personal damage, which makes certain craftable weapons incredibly valuable. Prototype Amber is the universal problem-solver - it transforms any catalyst user into a team healer while providing energy regeneration. This solves team composition issues for accounts lacking dedicated healers.
Hakushin Ring provides team-wide damage buffs in Electro reaction teams. The 10-20% Elemental DMG Bonus applies to all party members involved in reactions, creating substantial team DPS increases that exceed personal damage considerations.
Refinement Priority and Resource Management
Which Weapons to Refine First
Whiteblind tops every refinement priority list for DEF-scaling character users. The refinement doubles ATK and DEF bonuses from 6% to 12% per stack - that’s massive damage and survivability improvements for Itto and Noelle builds. No contest here.
Amenoma Kageuchi ranks second because the energy restoration doubles from 6 to 12 Energy per seed at R5. This dramatically reduces Energy Recharge requirements, allowing more offensive artifact substats. The universal applicability on energy-hungry characters makes the investment worthwhile across multiple team compositions.
Prototype Amber deserves consideration for accounts heavily reliant on its healing capabilities. Refinement improves both energy regeneration and healing amounts, enhancing team sustain and rotation consistency.
Billet Conservation Strategies
New accounts should prioritize coverage over refinement. One weapon per type covering basic needs before considering refinements - that’s Prototype Archaic, Prototype Rancour, Prototype Starglitter, Prototype Crescent, and Mappa Mare for solid coverage across all weapon types.
Specialized weapons like Whiteblind should only be crafted when you’re actually planning to use DEF-scaling characters. Don’t craft just in case - billets are too valuable for experimental builds.
Avoid crafting weapons for characters you don’t actively use. The limited nature of billet acquisition makes patience a virtue in resource management.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Overcrafting Low-Priority Weapons
I see this mistake constantly - new players craft every available weapon type without considering their actual character roster and team needs. They burn through billets on weapons that provide minimal account improvement, then wonder why they can’t craft the weapons they actually need.
The opportunity cost is real here. A single well-chosen weapon often provides more value than multiple mediocre options. Focus on weapons that solve immediate problems or provide substantial upgrades to characters you actually use.
Ignoring Character Synergy
Using Prototype Archaic on Noelle instead of Whiteblind represents significant damage loss due to stat misalignment. Many players choose craftable weapons based on general recommendations without considering specific character builds and team compositions.
Proper weapon selection requires understanding character scaling mechanics and team roles. DEF-scaling characters need DEF-focused weapons, reaction-based builds benefit from Elemental Mastery options, and the weapon’s passive should complement character playstyle and rotation patterns.
FAQ
What are the best craftable weapons for new Genshin Impact players? Start with Prototype Archaic (claymore), Prototype Rancour (sword), and Prototype Amber (catalyst). These cover your basic needs - Archaic works on most claymore DPS, Rancour serves Physical DPS and Bennett support builds, while Amber transforms any catalyst user into a team healer. Universal coverage beats specialized weapons early on.
How do I efficiently farm Northlander Billets? Hit all eleven Weekly Bosses consistently for ~12% drop rates per boss - that’s roughly one billet weekly if you’re diligent. Don’t forget alternative sources: Adventure Rank rewards, Souvenir Shop purchases (225 Anemo/Geo Sigils each), Sacred Sakura Tree levels, and event rewards. Higher World Levels improve drop rates, so don’t stay low for easier fights.
Which craftable weapon should I refine first as F2P? Whiteblind if you use Itto or Noelle - refinement doubles ATK and DEF bonuses from 6% to 12% per stack, which is absolutely massive. Amenoma Kageuchi ranks second since energy restoration doubles from 6 to 12 Energy per seed at R5, dramatically reducing Energy Recharge requirements for Burst-dependent characters.
Are craftable weapons competitive with 5-star weapons? In specific scenarios, absolutely. Whiteblind often outperforms 5-star weapons on DEF-scaling characters like Itto and Noelle due to perfect stat alignment. Amenoma Kageuchi’s energy management allows more offensive artifact substats, sometimes resulting in higher overall DPS than 5-star alternatives. It’s all about synergy.
What materials do I need to craft weapons? One Northlander Billet, 50 White Iron Chunks, and 50 region-specific ores (Amethyst Lumps for Inazuma, Condessence Crystals for Fontaine, etc.). Ascension costs 150,000 Mora plus domain materials and enemy drops. Leveling requires Mystic Enhancement Ore crafted from Crystal Chunks - start mining early.
Should I craft multiple copies or focus on different weapon types? Cover different weapon types first to handle various characters before considering multiple copies or refinements. One weapon per type provides versatility for your roster. Multiple copies only make sense when using multiple characters of the same weapon type simultaneously or pursuing high refinement ranks on frequently used weapons.
